Device for cleaning a rain gutter

ABSTRACT

A device for cleaning a rain gutter is provided herein. The device includes an arm assembly with a first end and a second end. The device includes a shaft assembly for extending the arm assembly to the rain gutter, the shaft assembly also having a first end and a second end. The device includes a rotatable locking joint connecting the second end of the shaft assembly with the first end of the arm assembly for setting an angle between the shaft assembly and the arm assembly. The device includes a brush assembly mounted on the second end of the arm assembly, the brush assembly including a brush and a motor, preferably an electric motor for rotating the brush. Structure is provided for mounting the brush to the motor. In use, the motor is actuated to rotate the brush to remove material from the rain gutter.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/565,740, filed Dec. 1, 2011, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate to a device for cleaning a rain gutter.

BACKGROUND

Rain gutters are used to direct rain water from the roof of buildings toa preferred discharge area such as a storm sewer. It is common forleaves, needles and other debris to fall from nearby trees and to getwashed down from the roof of a building into the rain gutter. Over time,this collection of leaves, needles and other debris could clog thedrainage of the rain gutters. The flow of rain water would then bedisrupted and drain along the side of the rain gutter rather than downthe rain gutter to a preferred discharge area.

Consequently, rain gutters may require regular cleaning in orderfunction. They are located at the height of the roof and the task ofcleaning rain gutters may be cumbersome and potentially dangerous.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Various devices have been disclosed to cover up the gutter to filter outdebris while allowing water to flow through. Some of these devices mayallow debris eventually to accumulate at the filter which is associatedwith such rain gutters, and cleaning may still be required. The cleaningof these filter devices are made more difficult by debris clogging upthe openings of the grate which is associated with such rain gutters,the filter devices will have to be removed before they can be cleaned.Another shortcoming of some of these filtering devices is it takes veryfew leaves to redirect the flow of rain water from collecting in thegutter and limiting its use.

Non-limiting examples of U.S. patents directed to devices for cleaningrain gutters include the following:

-   U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,749, issued Aug. 14, 1973, to J. L. Wilson;-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,559, issued Sep. 25, 1979, to B. G. Henson;-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,866, issued Dec. 16, 1980, to N. D. Taylor;-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,940, issued Jan. 19, 1982, to E. L. Moore;-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,335, issued Dec. 14, 1982, to W. L. Tapper;-   U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,397, issued Sep. 28 1990, to T. J. Ryan;-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,070, issued Jan. 25, 2000, to V. V. Poppa;-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,782, issued Feb. 13, 2000, to I. G. Hall;-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,153, issued Jul. 13, 200, to V. V. Poppa; and-   U.S. Pat. No. 7,926,141, issued Apr. 19, 2011 to Umagination Labs    L.P.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a device for cleaning arain gutter.

A first broad aspect of the present invention is embodied in a devicefor cleaning a rain gutter. The device includes an arm assembly with afirst end and a second end. The device includes a shaft assembly forextending the arm assembly to the rain gutter, the shaft assembly alsohaving a first end and a second end. The device includes a rotatablelocking joint connecting the second end of the shaft assembly with thefirst end of the arm assembly, the rotatable locking joint beingprovided for setting an angle between the shaft assembly and the armassembly. The device includes a brush assembly mounted on the second endof the arm assembly. The brush assembly includes a motor for rotating abrush in the brush assembly. Structure is provided for mounting thebrush to the motor. In use, the motor rotates the brush to removematerial from the rain gutter.

A second broad aspect of the present invention is embodied in a devicefor cleaning a rain gutter. The device includes a shaft assembly with afirst end and a second end. The device includes a brush assembly mountedon the second end of the shaft assembly. The brush assembly includes amotor for rotating a brush in the brush assembly. Structure is providedfor mounting the brush to the motor. In use, the motor rotates the brushto remove material from the rain gutter.

Other Features

By a feature of the first broad aspect of the present invention, thebrush comprises a plurality of flexible bristles. By a variant thereof,the plurality of flexible bristles may be characterized by a stiffnesssufficient for removing material from the rain gutter, but not of astiffness which may damage the rain gutter.

By another feature of the first broad aspect of the present invention,the device is equipped to include an electric motor. By a variantthereof, the device is equipped to include a battery for powering theelectric motor. By another variant thereof, the device includes a meansfor recharging the battery.

By another feature of the first broad aspect of the present invention,the device is equipped with at least one guide which may be mountedabout the second end of the shaft assembly, for guiding the device alongan outer edge of the rain gutter. By a variant thereof, the at least oneguide is structured to support the weight of the device along the outeredge of the rain gutter.

By a feature of the second broad aspect of the present invention, thebrush comprises a plurality of flexible bristles. By a variant thereof,the plurality of flexible bristles may be characterized by a stiffnesssufficient for removing material from the rain gutter, but not of astiffness which may damage the rain gutter.

By another feature of the second broad aspect of the present invention,the device is equipped to include an electric motor. By a variantthereof, the device is equipped to include a battery for powering theelectric motor. By another variant thereof, the device includes a meansfor recharging the battery.

By another feature of the second broad aspect of the present invention,the device is equipped with a at least one guide which may be mountedabout the second end of the shaft assembly, for guiding the device alongan outer edge of the rain gutter. By a variant thereof, the at least oneguide is structured to support the weight of the device along the outeredge of the rain gutter.

By another feature of the second broad aspect of the present invention,the shaft assembly is extendable and retractable.

The invention in its general form will first be described, and then itsimplementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed withreference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments areintended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the mannerof its implementation. The invention in its broadest sense and morespecific forms will then be further described, and defined, in each ofthe individual claims which conclude this Specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a stylized representation of the use of an embodiment of thedevice;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the device;and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is notintended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. Itshould be understood that throughout the drawings, correspondingreference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, one embodiment of the device forcleaning a rain gutter is denoted by general reference number 100.

Generally, in this embodiment, the device 100 includes an arm assembly12 with a first end 14 and a second end 16. The device also includes ashaft assembly 18 with a first end 21 and a second end 22, the shaftassembly 18 is structured by means of assembly 26 for extending the armassembly 12 to a rain gutter 110 (see FIG. 1). Consequently, the shaftassembly 18 is both extendable and retractable. The shaft assembly ispreferably extendable to about the height of the rain gutters 110 for ahouse 112 (see FIG. 1), for example about 3.5 meter to about 4 meter. Arotatable joint or rotatable locking joint 24 connects the second end 22of the shaft assembly 18 with the first end 14 of the arm assembly 12.The rotatable locking joint 24 is structured for setting an anglebetween the shaft assembly 18 and the arm assembly 12. The angle ismanually adjustable by the user of the device, and is generally to anset angle that is comfortable for the user who is holding the first endof the shaft assembly 18 and is operating the device 100 from the ground(see FIG. 1). The angle may be limited in embodiments to a range ofmotion of about 180 to about 270 degrees rotation with about 1 to about45 degree intervals of rotation. The range of motion would allow the armto be moveable or flip from one side to the other.

A brush assembly 28 is mounted on the second end 16 of the arm assembly12. The brush assembly comprises an electric motor 30 for rotating abrush 20 in the brush assembly 28 that is mounted to the second end 16of the arm assembly 12. The brush 20 is preferably removably mounted tothe electric motor 30 by a suitable means, such as, for example, a nutand washer, or a keyless chuck, or a keyed chuck, or other means knownto a skilled person. In operation, the brush 20 is rotated by theelectric motor 30 to remove material from the rain gutter. There is nolimitation on the direction of motor rotation and it may be selectableby the user by the use of a switch or button (not shown) controlling thedirection of motor rotation. It is generally preferable to select adirection of brush rotation that would cause the material removed fromthe gutter to fall away from the user of the device 100 who is on theground.

Although not shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, various embodiments of thedevice 100, may also have a power switch. Also, it is preferable thatthe device 100 be made of relatively light weight materials. Lighterweight materials may allow for easier operation of the device 100 byusers.

The brush 20 is comprised of a plurality of flexible bristles 32. Theflexible bristles could be made out of various suitable materials, bothnatural and synthetic, for example and without limitation: rubber,plastic, and silicone. Various embodiments of the brush 20, include onecluster of flexible bristles, or multiple clusters, preferably spacedevenly in a circular fashion around the center of rotation of theelectric motor 30. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2and FIG. 3, the brush 20 is comprised of four clusters of flexiblebristles 32 spaced about 90 degrees from each other. The plurality offlexible bristles 32 are characterized by a stiffness which issufficient for removing material from the rain gutter but which are notso stiff that they cause damage to the rain gutter 110. Depending on theembodiment of the device 100, it is possible to remove or replace thebrush 20, so that a worn brush could be replaced, or a different type ofbrush could be selected.

The device 100 is provided with means to power the electric motor 30.These means can be ordinary 110 volt power from the house, which isaccessed by a grounded electric cord namely for providing electricitythrough an electrical outlet in a manner known to those skilled in theart. On the other hand, the electric motor 30 can be powered by abattery 9. Depending on the embodiment, the battery 9 may benon-removable or removable. The device 100 could further include a meansfor recharging the battery. Alternatively, the means for recharging thebattery may be a separate device and included as part of a kit or systemwith the device 100. The specifics of batteries, rechargeable batteries,and means for recharging batteries are well known to those of ordinaryskill in the art. Typically, the capacity of the battery 9 may only haveto allow for several minutes of operation since only a few minutes ofoperation may be required to clean the gutters for a normal house, thiscould potentially reduce the cost and weight of the battery 9 or thedevice 100 or both.

Although not shown, the device 100 may be powered by a small gas poweredmotor as is well known in the art.

An embodiment of the device 100 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3shows a guide 36 that is mounted about the second end 16 of the shaftassembly 18. The guide 36 is structured for guiding the device along anouter edge of the rain gutter 110. The guide 36 is attached by a meansknown to those skilled in the art. The guide 36 may be attached aboutthe second end 16 of the shaft assembly 18, or on the arm assembly 12,or attached about the rotatable locking joint 24. In a preferredembodiment, the guide 36 is structured to support the weight or aportion of the weight of the device 100 along the outer edge of the raingutter 110.

During operation of an embodiment of the device 100, depending on theheight of the gutter to reach, the shaft assembly 18 is adjusted so thatthe device 100 can be placed on the edge of the gutter 110. The guide 36is designed to fit inside the edge of the gutter and may hang safelyfrom there. Depending on the angle of the rotatable locking joint 24,the brush assembly 28 can be in the front or in the back of the guide 36from the view of the user of the device 100. While holding the device100 in place, the electric motor 30 can be started to rotate the brush20 in either direction depending on the setting of the optionaldirectional switch (not shown). While the electric motor is running, thedevice 100 can be pushed forward or backward along the gutter by theuser, letting the rotating brush 20 clean or remove material such asdirt and leaves from the gutter by the rotating brushing of the brush20.

A skilled person would understand that in other embodiments, the atleast one guide, guide or guides may be mounted on different spots andfunction in substantially the same manner. For example, there may be twoguides where each guide is mounted on either side of the brush, with thebrush in the middle and attached to the arm.

An alternative embodiment of the device 100, show in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5,comprises a shaft assembly 18 with a first end 21 and a second end 22and a brush assembly 28 mounted on the second end of 22 the shaftassembly 18. In a further alternative embodiment, the alternativeembodiment may further comprise a rotatable joint or rotatable lockingjoint. The reduction in parts may lead to advantages in ease ofproduction and cost reduction.

The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodimentsshowings how the invention may be applied and put into use. Theseembodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its broadest, and morespecific aspects is further described and defined in the claims whichfollow. These claims, and the language used therein are to be understoodin terms of the variants of the invention as described. They are not tobe restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the fullscope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and thedisclosure that has been provided herein.

The disclosure herein has been described with reference to specificexemplary embodiments, however, varying modifications thereof will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for cleaning a rain gutter, comprising:an arm assembly with a first end and a second end; a shaft assembly forextending the arm assembly to the rain gutter, the shaft assembly havinga first end and a second end; a rotatable joint connecting the secondend of the shaft assembly with the first end of the arm assembly, forsetting an angle between the shaft assembly and the arm assembly; and abrush assembly mounted on the second end of the arm assembly, the brushassembly comprising: a motor for rotating a brush; and structure formounting the brush to the motor; whereby, in use the motor rotates thebrush to remove material from the rain gutter.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein the brush comprises a plurality of flexible bristles.
 3. Thedevice of claim 2, wherein the plurality of flexible bristles areflexible bristles and are characterized by a stiffness sufficient forremoving material from the rain gutter but which have a stiffness whichis not damaging to the rain gutter.
 4. The device of claims 1, furthercomprising: at least one guide for guiding the device along an outeredge of the rain gutter.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at leastone guide is structured to support the weight of the device along theouter edge of the rain gutter.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the atleast one guide is mounted about the second end of the shaft assembly.7. The device of claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7, further comprising: structure for accommodating abattery for powering the electric motor.
 9. The device of claim 8,further comprising: means for recharging the battery.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the shaft assembly is extendable and retractable.
 11. Adevice for cleaning a rain gutter, comprising: a shaft assembly with afirst end and a second end; and a brush assembly mounted on the secondend of the shaft assembly, the brush assembly comprising: a motor forrotating a brush; and structure for mounting the brush to the motor;whereby, in use the motor rotates the brush to remove material from therain gutter.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the brush comprises aplurality of flexible bristles.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein theplurality of flexible bristles are flexible bristles and arecharacterized by a stiffness sufficient for removing material from therain gutter but which have a stiffness which is not damaging to the raingutter.
 14. The device of claim 11, further comprising: at least oneguide for guiding the device along an outer edge of the rain gutter. 15.The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one guide is structured tosupport the weight of the device along the outer edge of the raingutter.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the at least one guide ismounted about the second end of the shaft assembly.
 17. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the motor is an electric motor.
 18. The device ofclaim 17, further comprising: structure for accommodating a battery forpowering the electric motor.
 19. The device of claim 18, furthercomprising: means for recharging the battery.
 20. The device of any oneof claims 11, wherein the shaft assembly is extendable and retractable.